Work Text:
I sat very still in my own seat, unmoving. A familiar song was playing on the radio — my brain seems to recognize its tune, but for some reason, I couldn't remember the right lyrics. I don't try. I've given up.
The seat across of mine was occupied by you. Unlike me, you're moving a lot. I watched as you eat your dinner like it was just any other night. Like you don't notice the tension surrounding us. Or the heavy air that makes it harder and harder to breathe as each moment passes by. Or the alarmingly huge cracks on the wall — threatening to collapse and break down any second now. You're ignoring the problem. And I'm letting you.
My mind was flooded with so many questions that I don't dare ask. How did it come to this? What went wrong? How come that the person I once knew the best ended up being a stranger again? How many nights have I been sharing a meal with this stranger? Are you still there?
My food is getting cold, and yours is almost done. And the realization that this whole thing is beyond salvation now is getting clearer and clearer to me.
“Thank you for the meal.”, the first time either of us spoke after sitting down.
“Thank you, too... For everything.”, I gently laid down a white handkerchief on the table, folded neatly and carefully. It was the very first thing you lent me. And the only thing I refused to return until tonight.
I stood up from my seat, and noticed that the walls have started to collapse. Glass shattered to the floor as the picture frames fall down. I watched as every single thing that we built together inside this 'home' fall down and turn into dust. I didn't look at you throughout the entire thing, not even once. I couldn't. I didn't want to see what kind of expression were you wearing. I didn't want to see that look in your face.
Everything is in ruins now, but my feet feel a little lighter than earlier. I took a step. Then two. Then three. I'm leaving. And you're letting me.
“Take care.”
“You too.”
I walked away.